Wilderness Trail Distillery

Founded by Shane Baker (mechanical engineer) and Dr. Pat Heist (plant pathologist/fermentation scientist) who previously ran Ferm Solutions, a fermentation consulting company. Their scientific approach to distilling led them to champion the sweet mash process — using all fresh ingredients for each fermentation batch rather than recycling acidic backset. The first bottled-in-bond wheated sweet mash bourbon in Kentucky since Prohibition came from this distillery. Named Kentucky Manufacturer of the Year in 2016. Operating at 215 barrels per day.